Key for opening cans



Feb. 20, S E -2,370,081

KEY FOR OPENING CANS Filed July 51, 1943 Patented Feb. 20, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY FOR OPENING CAN S Harry Sebell, Marblehead, Mass.

Application July 31, 1943, Serial No. 496,871

4 Claims.

This invention relates to keys for use in opening cans of that type that are provided with a tear strip which is torn out whenthe can is to be opened.

It has been. the common practice to attach a key to each can of this type so that when the can is to be opened, the key can be detached from the can and then engaged with the tear strip by inserting the tab of the latter into the slot of the key, after which the key is turned to wind the tear strip thereon and at the same time to tear the tear strip from the can. These keys are single service implements, and each key, together with the coil of tear strip wound thereon, is thrown away after the can has been opened.

It is one of the objects of my present invention to provide a permanent key which may be used repeatedly for opening cans thereby obviating the necessity of providing each can with an individual key.

A further object of my invention is to provide a key of this type which is equipped with means for stripping or ejecting the coil after the can has been opened.

Further objects of the invention are to employ keys of this type in the manner hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing my improved key as it is used in opening a can.

Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section of the improved key.

Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the stripping of the tear strip from the key.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating a different embodiment of the invention,

My improved key is provided with a body member indicated generally at I from which extends a tab-engaging stem 2, the latter having a slot 3 to receive the tab of the tear strip, which slot is open at the end of the stem.

The key is used in usual way for opening a can 6 by inserting the tab 4 of the tear strip 5 into the slot 3 and then turning the key to wind the tear strip on the stem 2, this operation serving to tear the tear strip from the can. When the can has been opened, the tear strip will be in the form of a. coil I wound on the stem 2.

One feature of my present invention relates to a construction by which this coil I can be readily stripped from the stem 2. The fact that the slot 3 is open at the end of the stem enables the coil 1 to be stripped from the stem by moving the coil lengthwise of the stem, the open end of the slot 3 permitting the tab to move out of the slot.

To provide for thus stripping the coil from the stem, I have employed a stripping element 8 in the form of a washer or ring which encircles the stem 2 and is normally held in inoperative posi-' tion against the body as shown in Fig. 2.

To strip the coil 1 from the stem, the stripper element 8 is moved downwardly or axially of the stem, thereby pushing the coil therefrom.

Various ways of giving the-stripper 8 its operative movement may be employed, but in the construction herein shown, the stripper element has two rods 9 connected thereto which extend the presser plate ill, the stripper 8 will be moved downwardly on or axially of the stem, thereby to strip the coil 7 therefrom.

The body i is formed with a bottom portion 12 and two upstanding side portions it, i l. The ends of each side portion 13, M are formed with extensions i5 which are connected at their ends as hown at IS. The body thus presents two boxlike end portions.

The presser plate iii has its ends located between the extensions H) of the side members i3, i4, and the top or bridge portion [6 of each boxlike end section serves as a stop to limit the spring-pressed movement of the presser plate. Normally the springs ll maintain the ends of the presser plate ii! against the bridge portion 26 as shown in Fig. l, but when pressure is applied to the presser plate Hi to operate the stripper 8, the ends of the presser plate will move downwardly between the extensions 15 of the side members, said extensions thus serving to guide the presser plate in its movement.

One or more of the extensions 15 may be provided with an aperture iii to receive a nail or hook on which the key may be hung when it is not in use. It will thus be observed that I have pro vided a key which can be used in usual manner for removing the tear strip from a can or container and which is provided with means for stripping the tear strip from the key after the can has been opened. The key thus constitutes a permanent household implement which will be kept in the kitchen and may be used whenever it is desired to open a can or container. The

expense involved in providing each individual can with a separate key is thus obviated.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a modified form of the invention in which the stem 2a of the key is provided with an annular groove 1 I situated directly beneath the stripper 8 when it is in its inoperative position.

Some cans are formed with a head around the top just above the tear strip, and when the device shown in Fig. 6 is used in opening cans of this type, "the head in the can will engage the groove I! as the key is turned to tear the strip from the can. In any case the stripper 8 rests on the top of the can while the key is being used, and the presence of the groove I'I serves as a convenient means for guiding the key in its turning movement.

An advantage resulting from having the slot 3 open at the lower end of the stem is that the stem can be applied to the tab 4 by a movement of the stem relative to the tab in the direction of the length of the stem. This obviates the necessity-'ofithreading.the.end of the tab through a closed siot.

'WhiIeJ-I 'have illustrated a selected embodiment of my invention, I do :not 'wish to be limited to the constructional Jea'tures herein shown.

I claim:

'1. Akey'for openingcans provided with'a tear strip. said key comprising a body member 'having a bottom portion .and two spaced side portions, afstem projecting from the bottom portion and having an open-ended slot extending longltudinally thereof, a stripper movable longitudina'llyof thestem, a presser element operating between said side portions, and connections between the presser element and the stripper whereby depressingimovement 'of the TDI'ESSEI element moves the :stripper longitudinally of the stem to :strip the 'Ttorn out tear strip therefrom.

2. A.key:for 'opening cans'provided with a tear strip,-saidkey comprising a body memberhaving a bottom portion and two spaced side portions,

a stem projecting from the bottom portion and having an open-ended slot extending longitudinally thereof, a stripper movable longitudinally of the stem, a presser element operating between said side portions, connections between the presser element and the stripper whereby depressing movement of the presser element moves the stripper longitudinally of the stem to strip the torn-out tear strip therefrom, and spring means .for returning the presser element and stripper to normal position.

3. A key for opening cans provided with a tear strip, said key comprising a body member having a bottom portion and two spaced side portions, a stem projecting from the bottom portion and having an open-ended slot extending longitudinally thereof, a stripper movable longitudinally of the stem, a presser element operating between said side portions, connections between the presser element and the stripper whereby depressing movement of the presser element moves the (stripper longitudinally of the stem to strip the torn-out tear .strip therefrom, and spring means located between said bottom portion and the presser element to return the stripper and :presserelement'to :normal position.

4. Akey for opening cans provided with atea'r strip, said key comprising a body member having a bottom portion and two spaced side'portions, a'stem projecting from thebottom portion and having an open-ended slot extending longitudinally thereof, a stripper movable longitudinally of the stem, a presser element operating between said side'portions, connections between the presser element and the stripper whereby depressing movement 'of the presser element :moves the stripper longitudinally of the stem to strip the torn-'outtear'strip therefrom, and spring means forreturning the presser element and stripper to normal position, said side portions having means to limit the spring actuated movement of the presser plate.

HARRY'SEBE'LL. 

